WWE: People Within WWE Reportedly Dislike 3-Hour Format for SmackDown Shows, Becky Lynch WWE Return & WresteMania 41 Plans Update, More News

People Within WWE Reportedly Dislike 3-Hour Format for SmackDown Shows

WrestleVotes Radio reported that their sources stated that several people within WWE have strongly disliked the three-hour format for SmackDown shows. Those spoken to stated that the general feeling is the quality of the show has dipped in the last two months due to the extra hour added.

It was reported that prior to the expansion, there was an optimism and belief within the company that some underutilized talent would be able to shine considering the extra hour for shows. This reportedly is something that has not come to fruition as of yet within the company.

It was also reported that SmackDown is still scheduled to return to its prior two-hour format by this June.

---

Becky Lynch WWE Return Plans Update – WWE Reportedly Working on WrestleMania 41 Plans for Lynch

As noted before, Becky Lynch has been on a break from WWE and wrestling since this past June. Lynch had recently signed a new contract with the company following the expiration of her prior deal this past June

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported in a recent Q&A article that his sources stated that Lynch is currently healthy but the reason for her lack of a return to WWE is due to her just simply waiting for creative plans.

Sapp reported that WWE officials currently want Lynch to be involved in their plans for WrestleMania 41 but it is currently unknown what her role might be for the event.

---

WWE News & Notes

WWE recently announced that Roman Reigns will be making several appearances for their upcoming new European tour this March. It was announced that Reigns will be making an appearance at their March 21st SmackDown show in Bologna, Italy and their March 28th SmackDown show in London, England.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE held a tryout for indie broadcaster Sam Leterna in late 2024. It was reported that Leterna’s work was praised internally by WWE officials but it is currently not known if WWE has any plans to bring her into the promotion. Leterna has worked for several notable promotiosn during her broadcasting career including the NWA, TNA Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling.

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported in a recent Q&A article that his sources stated that WWE officials currently do not have any call-up plans for Meta-Four. Those spoken to reportedly stated that despite the rumors of Meta-Four being called up as a group this past November, the reason why Jackson and Legend made appearances on the main roster was simply just for their storyline involving the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship at the time. Sapp reported that those spoken to stated that WWE officials had felt at the time that Jackson and Legend needed more experience before a main roster call-up could come their way.

WWE recently started their countdown of their Top 50 matches in WrestleMania history. The 50th ranked spot was the Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins match from WrestleMania 38. The 49th spot was the Sting vs. Triple H match from WrestleMania 31.

WWE recently released two new videos to their WWE Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a “Story of The nWo’s road to WrestleMania 18.” The second new video was a WWE World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender match of The Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Finlay vs. MVP vs. The Great Khali vs. Big Daddy V from WWE No Way Out 2008.

WWE also recently released two new videos to their NXT Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a NXT Women’s Championship match of Roxanne Perez vs. Lyra Valkyria (c) from NXT Stand & Deliver 2024. The second new video was the full October 16, 2013 episode of WWE NXT.

Current TNA X-Division Champion Moose recently reflected om Twitter thanking everyone in WWE and TNA who contributed to making his recent NXT debut appearance possible. Moose stated “Special Thanks to everyone who made this happen from @WWE @WWENXT and @ThisIsTNA the last 2 weeks has been incredible. Tons of Gratitude“

Roxanne Perez recently reflected on Twitter about her competing in her first ever Elimination Chamber match at this Saturday’s WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 event. Perez stated “10 years ago I began my wrestling journey and made a promise to my 13 year old self that I’d make it to Wrestlemania one day. I won’t let it slip through my fingers, this one’s for her.“

In a recent interview with the No Contest Wrestling podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Sean “X-Pac” Waltman gave his thoughts about his current involvement with WWE’s WWE ID indie talent development program. Waltman stated “I coach those kids over Zoom. They send me the matches. We’ll play the match, then I’ll push pause, ‘Hey what the fuck was that?’ or ‘Hey, that was good.’ Help them refine things.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)